No specific incident was cited for the decision, made by Col. Michael Gimbrone, commander of the 502nd Security Forces and Logistics Support Group at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph. Two other squadrons in Gimbrone’s group provide security for Randolph and Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston.

The Air Force confirmed Monday that Gimbrone had relieved Foley “due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command and lead his unit.”

The commander’s removal was first reported by Air Force Times.

Foley has been reassigned pending the results of an investigation by the Air Force’s Office of Special Investigations. He already had planned to retire from the Air Force in midsummer, officials said.

Foley’s removal from the squadron, which provides security at Lackland, was characterized as a general failure to meet his obligations as a commander, leaving Air Force leaders no choice in the matter.

“When commanders fail to meet the Air Force’s expectations and standards, senior leaders have the responsibility to address the performance and hold them accountable,” Oscar Balladares, a spokesman for the 502nd Air Base Wing, said in a statement.

Foley couldn’t be reached for comment.

A 2014 Air Force story chronicling his role in a blood drive said he had been in the military for more than 25 years. He was quoted as saying that donating blood “teaches (airmen) how to give back to the service as a whole.”

“Serving in the military is truly bigger than the individual,” Foley said in that story, “and this is one example of that concept.”